Woman Doesn’t Want To Change Her Cat’s Name Because Pregnant Cousin Wants To Use It For Her Baby, Wonders If She’s Just Being Stubborn
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Choosing a name for a kid is a big responsibility as well as one of the most important decisions. The kid will have the same name (in most cases) for their whole life. Moreover, some parents know from the very beginning how they want to name their baby, others put a lot of work into this decision, but others can decide the second they first see the baby – somehow the name just ‘clicks’.
It’s important to avoid names that have weird meanings or associations. I believe you can imagine – if you know somebody who is, let’s say, not your favorite person, probably that person’s name won’t be on the list for your future baby no matter how nice the name is, as the association and thought of that person doesn’t look too appealing.
More info: Reddit
It would be a slightly weird family dynamic having a cat and a little baby with the same name
Image credits: jamie mklose kangarat (not the actual photo)
Woman asks community members if she was wrong for not changing her cat’s name despite her pregnant cousin’s request
Image credits: RiverRiden
Image credits: Chad Kittel (not the actual photo)
Her cousin claimed it was her ‘dream name’ for her daughter
Image credits: RiverRiden
The OP ended up being called selfish for valuing a ‘stupid cat’ over cousin’s baby
A few days ago, one Reddit user took her story to one of the most judgmental communities asking if she was wrong for refusing to change her cat’s name as her pregnant cousin requested so that she can use it for her baby. The post collected almost 9K upvotes and more than 2.5K comments.
The author of this story recently adopted a cat, whose name is Millie. She was given this name in the shelter, it suited her, and she responded to it, thus the OP didn’t rename her new family member. Moreover, OP’s pregnant cousin posted a list of the potential baby names on social media, to which the author commented that her cat’s name is on the list.
Later on she received a message with a request to rename her cat because she wants to use this name for her daughter. The OP refused as the cat was named first but didn’t mind if the cousin’s baby shared the same name with her cat. However, if there was a problem, she could choose from plenty of other names. Well, the author ended up being called selfish because she values a ‘stupid cat’ over her cousin’s baby.
The community members gave the author the ‘Not the A-hole’ badge and assured her that she is not obligated to change her cat’s name. “DON’T change your cat’s name. There are thousands of people and animals who share names,” one user wrote. Another added: “Two beings can have the same name and the universe will not implode. Keep your cat’s name!”
Image credits: Arina Krasnikova (not the actual photo)
Bored Panda contacted Amber, who is better known as ‘The Name Fairy’ and she kindly agreed to share her insights regarding this situation and in general situations when the names of a pet and baby are matching!
“My philosophy when it comes to situations like this is whatever person or animal was named first, that name is then permanent!” Amber started. “ I don’t think it’s fair for her to ask her cousin to change her cat’s name just so she can use the name for her daughter. The name is already being used in the family, and if she really, really wants to use the name, then she should just use it! It’s not even a super close relative like her sister’s cat, for example, so it seems fine to me.”
Additionally, even the woman agrees to change the same, Amber mentioned that the association first of all, will be with the cat! “So the cat might as well keep the name and the cousin can just ALSO use the name. It will be associated with it no matter what, so she should just embrace it if she feels so strongly about using the name,” she emphasized.
Now, Amber also shared that she has had clients in a similar situation like the story. “I feel like most people respect that the name is already used, and even though they’re bummed about it, they don’t ask their family member/friend to change their pet’s name. When this happens, most clients ask me to recommend similar names to the one that they like, and I think that’s a great solution to the problem!”
Speaking about solutions in this situation: “I think that the woman who’s being asked to change her cat’s name should respectfully offer up some different solutions for her cousin,” Amber started. “Or, she could recommend my services to her and I could help her by coming up with similar names that could work as alternatives! [smiley face] She could also just tell her that using a similar name is a potential solution to this problem.”
Finally, don’t forget to check out her Instagram and TikTok!
Image credits: John Gillespie (not the actual photo)
Moreover, Bored Panda got into contact with Taylor A. Humphrey, who is the founder of “What’s in a Baby’s Name”. She was kind enough to share her thoughts on this situation!
“I certainly understand the gravity of the topic,” she started. “Name stealing is a significant issue that can lead to emotional distress and strained relationships between the parties involved. (Please see my TikTok videos on this topic, for more.) It’s crucial to approach such gray areas with discernment and nuance, considering the emotional labor involved and the potential rupture of trust in this relationship.”
“There’s that great poem by TS Eliot ‘The Naming of Cats’ which explains that cats have 3 names: a group name, a house name, and a personal name which may never be divulged,” she emphasized. “I think it’s unfair to ask the cat owner to change her cat’s name, and it overlooks the very important fact that many pet names morph over time. Ask any pet owner what they call their pets in the privacy of their own homes, and they will bashfully regurgitate the most unhinged utterances you’ve ever heard.”
Additionally, she shared her personal story to support the thought: “For example, my dog, Willoughby, mostly goes by ‘Willa,’ but occasionally when my dog-voice gets out of hand, she’ll also respond to more outrageous names like ‘Cucina Bootsy Boots’, ‘Mr. Baby Cutes’ and ‘Little Smelly Muffin Girl’. So there’s a futility and pointlessness in asking a pet owner to change their pet’s name on the behalf of a human child, because a pet is rarely called by their one given name,” Taylor mentioned.
And finally, a few recommendations: “In this situation, open and honest communication between the cat owner and the cousin is essential, allowing each party to express their feelings and concerns. In my professional opinion, it’s purr-fectly acceptable to choose the same given name for one’s child, without the rigamarole of asking to change the cat’s name. While dogs are social creatures that may ultimately have more interaction with the greater family unit, cats are territorial homebodies that don’t have as much exposure to extended family. I hardly think that between a human baby and a cousin’s cat, family members would first think of the cat that they’ve likely never met.”
Don’t forget to check Taylor’s Instagram and TikTok!
People backed the author up, shared some jokes and personal stories regarding this situation
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Haven't these people got anything more important to worry about in their lives?
There's not a single school class of under 16y olds in the UK without a 'Millie'. Truly a plague.
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My 7th grade English teacher complained about my dog having the same name as her. Took me aside and told me it was disrespectful to name dogs after people, at which point I said I wasn't aware Tessa was a human name until I met her. She complained to my mother, who was the person who named the dog, so that never went anywhere.
I would have reminded her that Indiana Jones was named after a dog so she didn't have anything to complain about
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My cat's name is Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie has not called me once to complain.
If Margot Robbie calls let me know. I don't have a cat, but I'll change my name to Harley Quinn.
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I don't know what is going on, but the world has gone completely stupid. It's like we are living in the movie Idiocracy. This can't really be a thing that is occupies this cousin's thoughts. There is too much going on in the world for people to be getting upset because someone's pet has the same name as their pet. This is ridiculous and the cousin needs to let this go. There is nothing wrong with the cat and baby both being named Millie. For the love of all that is holy, could we please stop arguing with people over things like this.
Exactly. Instead of freaking out because her cousin’s cat is already named Millie, and that’s one of the names in her LIST, she should be zeroing in on getting enough onesies and diapers to get her by until she’s up to shopping again (unless her husband is an exception to the rule, sending him for baby supplies will take intensive training). Getting the baby’s room all set up. Blankets. An outfit to come home from the hospital in —-and a spare in case the first one gets leaked or spit up on. Setting up the college fund and depositing the first hundred dollars in it. Baby toys that are quality, no small parts or toxic materials, and help with baby’s development. Figuring out daycare after the maternity leave is up. Figuring out a whole new routine for getting ready for work—-who’s the lucky one who gets to drop Baby off at daycare, mommy or daddy? Figuring out a whole new routine for coming home from work, getting the baby, and yourselves, fed, bathed, in bed, asleep. Whose turn is it to get up if the baby cries tonight? It’s such an overwhelmingly new normal you have to figure out, that whining about a cousin who has a cat with one of the many names on your list is trivial by comparison. The kid’s name will be their name, and in their lives they’re going to encounter many people, and pets, who share it. Not. A. Big. Deal. They’ll probably even think it’s really cool to share a name with a cat. Or dog. Or fish.
Load More Replies... Pretend to change the cat’s name. Buy vast quantities of cat items branded with the name ‘Millie’. For every birthday, the child can be given one, vey loudly and publicly, whilst explaining that the OP can no longer use them as the cat has had to have its name changed. Baby shower gift: Litter tray. First birthday: Cat scratching pad. Second birthday: Cat collar. And onward, forever.
I love this. And do what others said and rename the cat to Carrie when you are with the sister.
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I'd compromise and change the cats name.....to "Millie the Supreme Alpha Born 1st and is Better than Your Baby Furever Jr the 3rd"!
Same, but I was thinking more like: Millicent FuzzButt, Benevolent Master with the Magnificent Fur and Highly Boopable Nose, First of Her Name – Goes by Millie
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Keep the cat's name, then when your cousin names their gobblin, get another cat and name it the same.
My daughter's name is Daisy and my best friend's dog is also named Daisy and I am not traumatized somehow. Am I broken? My BFF actually asked before naming her new puppy and I told her I considered it an honor. My daughter thinks it's hilarious.
Is cousin going to call Millie Bobby Brown to tell her she has to change her name? OP should have laughed at cousin, said something like, "oh, those pregnancy hormones are really doing a number on you, huh?" And just left it at that. Let her fume, knowing she's being laughed at.
Right? If she hopes the name isn't that common she's in for a massive disappointment!
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What is it with people lately? They get overly dramatic and upset about the silliest, most inconsequential stuff nowadays.
They probably always did, it's just that social media has allowed the rest of us to share it. Zuckerberg and co have a lot to answer for.
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My father was killed in an industrial accident when I was 5 years old. His name was Lloyd. I never had kids,but I have a cat named Lloyd. It's a good name. When I told the fam, there was some consternation. I don't care. They either get over it, or they don't. Not my problem.
I’m sorry for your terrible loss but happy that you are honoring your father that way. You look at your beloved cat and think of him. It’s perfect. My BIL named a cat Floyd after his grandfather.
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She probably became more attached to that name in the slew of others she posted in the list once she found out your cat's name was Millie. As another poster said, the baby will likely be thrilled to share the same name. Several thoughts - the 2 Millies don't live in the same house - it won't cause confusion. This is such a non-event - the best way to view this is with humor. Your Millie was pre-named and came BEFORE her baby. It's her issue, not yours: I suggest you privately refer to human Millie "Millie Jr." and your kitty "Millie OG" to "avoid confusion."
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever quickly scrolled through. Ever.
Why do people care if an animal and a person share a name?! What will it hurt?! If people can name their kids "Apple" and "Abcde," I think a cat and a baby can share a name. I would be honored if someone named their child after one of my pets! I have good taste in names!!
Her cousin wants to exert control over someone else’s life (and pet).
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My parents' neighbours had a cat named Sarah when I was born. Parents need to realize that the world does not revolve around their children.
My nephew was named Jack and we had a dog named Jack. We said Jack the dog to be clear. Friends had a beloved dog named Diego, then had a second son, named him Diego and referred to the dog as DiegoDog. See how flexible people can be? Why get torqued about dumb s**t?
Another non-story. Cousin can pick a different name or they can have the same name. If anything, I think the baby should be named Mildred or Millicent anyways. Millie (at least to me) is a nickname. It’s one of my personal bugaboos - dont come for me!
Funny, I feel rather the opposite. That you shouldn't need the full name and can just have the shortened version registered if you want. After all, names are just made up. Though it does eliminate choice for the person - they might like the options the full name gives them so maybe your way is better overall. Upvoted because you're entitled to your bugaboos!
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AITA for wishing we could take a flamethrower to all of these utterly ridiculous AITA stories?
My stepsister and I have the same first name, same spelling. If we have survived the last 27 years, then I’m sure the baby and cat will be fine.
My local garage is run by two women, in a relationship together, and they both have the same first name! As you say, if they can survive it..!
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My husband and I had a cat that we named and we loved that name. It really would have been a great name for our son. But I completely vetoed it because we already had a cat with that name. Even if we changed the cats name it still felt wrong. The cat died unfortunately and we tried for baby number 2 and discussed names. My husband was all about naming this potential baby the cat’s name thinking my argument no longer stood. I still hard vetoed it because that was still our cats name. Was I very wrong in this situation? Did it actually not matter? I liked the cat’s name more than what we named our son. I just couldn’t do it, seemed wrong. That said, I think OPs situation with a relative is different and I agree she shouldn’t change the cats name. The parents can decide if they want Millie bad enough to have the same name as the cat or they can pick a different name. In my case, I picked a different name.
It has to be what feels right to you - your cat mattered to you and IS that name. In the scheme of things, as long as you like the name and it doesn't sound weird with the surname (eg Alison Harrison - my mother liked the first name but hated the way it rhymed) then all you can do is your best and hope your child likes their name (I dislike mine but not enough to do anything about it bar make it as short as possible!).
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FWIW - Many years ago, I adopted my sister's cat that she had named Ariel (soon after The Little Mermaid came out). By the time I got her, Alladin had come out. Since she was a black Persian cat, I thought that Jasmine would be more appropriate, because she was a Persian princess with long black hair. I wasn't going to change her name, but kept saying Jasmine by accident, and decided to just go with it. The cat adjusted with no problem. This is just to say that cats can be flexible with their names, not that this woman should change her cat's name.
Sorry pregzilla (love the commenter who used this name for a b****y, whining, entitled pregnant woman—-who was probably also a Bridezilla when she got married), but you do NOT own the rights to any name you can think of. There are thousands of Millies in the world, whether it’s a diminutive of Millicent or Emily, or they spell it Millie or Milly. Makes no difference. Someone ELSE is always going to also be named Millie too, even if they’re a cat. Your crotch goblin will never be the one and only Millie. So suck it up.
I wouldn't be able to stop laughing at the humans insecurity. I'd make a song about the cat and sing it around her whenever possible. Or send her invites with the cats photo. Though renaming to Carrie to unnerve her makes me laugh. My cat is Trinity Carrie Fisher so I approve
I mean, on the more realistic side, it's a pain in the a*s to train pets to respond to a specific name, so no, no I would not change my pets name.
Ahhh entitled people showing themselves once again. It's a freaking name. My name is Lulu (duh) and do you know how many cats & dogs i've met with the same name?! EEESH
A friend of mine has a dog called Lulu - you're absolutely right not to get bent out of shape about it! I like it, for what it's worth!
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Since when is it OK to call "dibs" on a name AND make people change their pets' names???
She should be honored that her baby gets to share the same name as your cat, and that you didn't insist on her picking a different name, because you thought of it first! You've been nice enough already. Screw that snot nosed little brat.
Oh, good grief! They won't be living in the same house. They can have the same name.
worst comes to worst they have the same name 💀 it literally doesn’t matter lmao. don’t change the cats name
My dog and my partners cousin have the same name. Everyone thinks it's funny since I was the one who named our dog . Turns out we even use the same nicknames!
Load More Replies... When I was younger we had cats and they had the run of the house. I would have loved it to be that way at night, but we had to lock them in the utility room (which had a cat flap) otherwise they would just set the alarm off/startle my parents etc. As for this story: baby murder mittens are coming for you.
To keep the peace, change the cat's name to something that sounds close to Millie. Pets don't care. Whenever I adopted a dog, I always changed the name. Pets catch on fast.
My grandmother's name was Lucy, both my sisters have had dogs named Lucy, and since we are adults, no one cares.
What a silly idea. After going to all the work of getting your cat to understand that her name is Millie, it would be next to impossible to change it.
I have a neighbor who named her baby girl after my cat. Nobody minded. Don't understand the issue.
I'm laughing because when my cousin Liz was adopted, no one even considered either one of us changing our names. P.S. We are both humans.
So out all the names on her list, the cousin decides Millie is her dream name for the baby after OP says it the name of her cat. Oh, please. She probably doesn't even like the name that much. Also for the people who say that babies are more important than pets: 🖕
A close friend of mine named her dog one of my favorite girl names. When I had my daughter, my husband n I chose a different favorite name. I’d never ask anyone to change the name of one of their fuzzed or non-fuzzed family members bc I wanted to claim it. 🙄
"You're valuing YOUR cat over MY baby." - Correct. That is the situation.
OMG! thank you for the morning laugh!! same thing happened with one of my good friends. she picked a name (Kaitlin) for her baby girl. said they would call her Katie. i said hahaha that's my dogs name. then she says they will probably end up calling her Katie Bug. OMG! my cat's name is BUG!!! she laughed and asked if i had any other animals that she needed to know about before she officially named her baby!! So, she named her Kaitlin. Calls her Katie bug or Kate. 26 years later my pets are long gone but i still have a Katie Bug!! People are so silly.
I share my name with two friend's pets and a Star Trek character, and my parents totally went running to Paramount demanding the immediate changing of Kira Nerys' name because it's clearly already taken! /s of course. What next? Taking a leaf out of the Yeerk playbook and appending number designations to the end of names? Hello, I am Kira 3824, how do you do!
I named my son after my uncles dog, Toby. Whats wrong with that. .
My dogs name is Charlie Murphy. I know he's dead now, but I doubt he'd care (Eddie Murphys brother). Also, I have a pup named Chub Rock. There was a rapper who had a hit called "treat em right". Pretty sure they wouldn't care either. I did once have a dog named Bailey, and my dad had married a woman who had a little girl with the same name. We called her "human" Bailey and my dog "furry" Bailey.
Just tell your cousin that she is free to sue you. Unless she has patented a name she is sol
Or Millicent. Derived from the German names Millicent, Melicent, and Mildred.
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Pff if her cat actually responds to Millie, she literally can't change it and her cousin is being the ignorant one for asking her to do so. Most cats don't know their name or refuse to respond to it. Plus let's be real, they're cousins. How often they hanging out and bringing up the cat?
In my opinion there is no need to change the cats name i think your cousin is being the selfish one but thats just my opinion
My cat's name is Miles, after Miles Davis, the jazz musician, in case people didn't know). So far Mr. Davis estate has left me alone. Other cats I had the good fortune of sharing my life with were George and Ira (of Gershwin fame), and a smattering of other musicians. Again, no lawsuits or online harassment. No one thinks my cat Miles can actually play the trumpet.
I would totally name my kid after a cat. I also never understood why it was supposed to be a bad thing in the movie that Indiana Jones was named after the family dog.
My turtle's middle name is Gamera and he Kadokawa Corporation hasn't told me to stop.
Do these people know that more than one person or animal has the same name? (Gasp!) We had a dog named Bella (R.I.P.) and I chuckled when my daughter had a friend with that name - quietly, to myself. But they probably named her after Twilight... also, there is a cow named Millie at a farm near me. So she is gonna have a hard time suppressing that name before she pops!
I don't see any problem in a cat and a kid having the same name. I know a person whose dog has the same name as me(not named after me, just a pure coincidence), and I think it's cool. Anyway, NTA, OP doesn't have any problems with that, and if Carrie does, she has to do something about it, not expect OP to adjust to her requirements.
Just call 'em Millie and Human Millie. Or Millie & Millie 2. Problem solved!
I came home one day from college to visit, and no one was home but a brand new puppy. I had no idea they had gotten a puppy. Turns out her name was Annie. My middle name is Ann, and mom's sister's name was Ann. I was fine with it, but my aunt seemed more concerned - she always loved small dogs, but never really had anything to do with Annie.
Haven't these people got anything more important to worry about in their lives?
There's not a single school class of under 16y olds in the UK without a 'Millie'. Truly a plague.
Load More Replies... My 7th grade English teacher complained about my dog having the same name as her. Took me aside and told me it was disrespectful to name dogs after people, at which point I said I wasn't aware Tessa was a human name until I met her. She complained to my mother, who was the person who named the dog, so that never went anywhere.
I would have reminded her that Indiana Jones was named after a dog so she didn't have anything to complain about
Load More Replies... My cat's name is Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie has not called me once to complain.
If Margot Robbie calls let me know. I don't have a cat, but I'll change my name to Harley Quinn.
Load More Replies... I don't know what is going on, but the world has gone completely stupid. It's like we are living in the movie Idiocracy. This can't really be a thing that is occupies this cousin's thoughts. There is too much going on in the world for people to be getting upset because someone's pet has the same name as their pet. This is ridiculous and the cousin needs to let this go. There is nothing wrong with the cat and baby both being named Millie. For the love of all that is holy, could we please stop arguing with people over things like this.
Exactly. Instead of freaking out because her cousin’s cat is already named Millie, and that’s one of the names in her LIST, she should be zeroing in on getting enough onesies and diapers to get her by until she’s up to shopping again (unless her husband is an exception to the rule, sending him for baby supplies will take intensive training). Getting the baby’s room all set up. Blankets. An outfit to come home from the hospital in —-and a spare in case the first one gets leaked or spit up on. Setting up the college fund and depositing the first hundred dollars in it. Baby toys that are quality, no small parts or toxic materials, and help with baby’s development. Figuring out daycare after the maternity leave is up. Figuring out a whole new routine for getting ready for work—-who’s the lucky one who gets to drop Baby off at daycare, mommy or daddy? Figuring out a whole new routine for coming home from work, getting the baby, and yourselves, fed, bathed, in bed, asleep. Whose turn is it to get up if the baby cries tonight? It’s such an overwhelmingly new normal you have to figure out, that whining about a cousin who has a cat with one of the many names on your list is trivial by comparison. The kid’s name will be their name, and in their lives they’re going to encounter many people, and pets, who share it. Not. A. Big. Deal. They’ll probably even think it’s really cool to share a name with a cat. Or dog. Or fish.
Load More Replies... Pretend to change the cat’s name. Buy vast quantities of cat items branded with the name ‘Millie’. For every birthday, the child can be given one, vey loudly and publicly, whilst explaining that the OP can no longer use them as the cat has had to have its name changed. Baby shower gift: Litter tray. First birthday: Cat scratching pad. Second birthday: Cat collar. And onward, forever.
I love this. And do what others said and rename the cat to Carrie when you are with the sister.
Load More Replies... I'd compromise and change the cats name.....to "Millie the Supreme Alpha Born 1st and is Better than Your Baby Furever Jr the 3rd"!
Same, but I was thinking more like: Millicent FuzzButt, Benevolent Master with the Magnificent Fur and Highly Boopable Nose, First of Her Name – Goes by Millie
Load More Replies... Keep the cat's name, then when your cousin names their gobblin, get another cat and name it the same.
My daughter's name is Daisy and my best friend's dog is also named Daisy and I am not traumatized somehow. Am I broken? My BFF actually asked before naming her new puppy and I told her I considered it an honor. My daughter thinks it's hilarious.
Is cousin going to call Millie Bobby Brown to tell her she has to change her name? OP should have laughed at cousin, said something like, "oh, those pregnancy hormones are really doing a number on you, huh?" And just left it at that. Let her fume, knowing she's being laughed at.
Right? If she hopes the name isn't that common she's in for a massive disappointment!
Load More Replies... What is it with people lately? They get overly dramatic and upset about the silliest, most inconsequential stuff nowadays.
They probably always did, it's just that social media has allowed the rest of us to share it. Zuckerberg and co have a lot to answer for.
Load More Replies... My father was killed in an industrial accident when I was 5 years old. His name was Lloyd. I never had kids,but I have a cat named Lloyd. It's a good name. When I told the fam, there was some consternation. I don't care. They either get over it, or they don't. Not my problem.
I’m sorry for your terrible loss but happy that you are honoring your father that way. You look at your beloved cat and think of him. It’s perfect. My BIL named a cat Floyd after his grandfather.
Load More Replies... She probably became more attached to that name in the slew of others she posted in the list once she found out your cat's name was Millie. As another poster said, the baby will likely be thrilled to share the same name. Several thoughts - the 2 Millies don't live in the same house - it won't cause confusion. This is such a non-event - the best way to view this is with humor. Your Millie was pre-named and came BEFORE her baby. It's her issue, not yours: I suggest you privately refer to human Millie "Millie Jr." and your kitty "Millie OG" to "avoid confusion."
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever quickly scrolled through. Ever.
Why do people care if an animal and a person share a name?! What will it hurt?! If people can name their kids "Apple" and "Abcde," I think a cat and a baby can share a name. I would be honored if someone named their child after one of my pets! I have good taste in names!!
Her cousin wants to exert control over someone else’s life (and pet).
Load More Replies... My parents' neighbours had a cat named Sarah when I was born. Parents need to realize that the world does not revolve around their children.
My nephew was named Jack and we had a dog named Jack. We said Jack the dog to be clear. Friends had a beloved dog named Diego, then had a second son, named him Diego and referred to the dog as DiegoDog. See how flexible people can be? Why get torqued about dumb s**t?
Another non-story. Cousin can pick a different name or they can have the same name. If anything, I think the baby should be named Mildred or Millicent anyways. Millie (at least to me) is a nickname. It’s one of my personal bugaboos - dont come for me!
Funny, I feel rather the opposite. That you shouldn't need the full name and can just have the shortened version registered if you want. After all, names are just made up. Though it does eliminate choice for the person - they might like the options the full name gives them so maybe your way is better overall. Upvoted because you're entitled to your bugaboos!
Load More Replies... AITA for wishing we could take a flamethrower to all of these utterly ridiculous AITA stories?
My stepsister and I have the same first name, same spelling. If we have survived the last 27 years, then I’m sure the baby and cat will be fine.
My local garage is run by two women, in a relationship together, and they both have the same first name! As you say, if they can survive it..!
Load More Replies... My husband and I had a cat that we named and we loved that name. It really would have been a great name for our son. But I completely vetoed it because we already had a cat with that name. Even if we changed the cats name it still felt wrong. The cat died unfortunately and we tried for baby number 2 and discussed names. My husband was all about naming this potential baby the cat’s name thinking my argument no longer stood. I still hard vetoed it because that was still our cats name. Was I very wrong in this situation? Did it actually not matter? I liked the cat’s name more than what we named our son. I just couldn’t do it, seemed wrong. That said, I think OPs situation with a relative is different and I agree she shouldn’t change the cats name. The parents can decide if they want Millie bad enough to have the same name as the cat or they can pick a different name. In my case, I picked a different name.
It has to be what feels right to you - your cat mattered to you and IS that name. In the scheme of things, as long as you like the name and it doesn't sound weird with the surname (eg Alison Harrison - my mother liked the first name but hated the way it rhymed) then all you can do is your best and hope your child likes their name (I dislike mine but not enough to do anything about it bar make it as short as possible!).
Load More Replies... FWIW - Many years ago, I adopted my sister's cat that she had named Ariel (soon after The Little Mermaid came out). By the time I got her, Alladin had come out. Since she was a black Persian cat, I thought that Jasmine would be more appropriate, because she was a Persian princess with long black hair. I wasn't going to change her name, but kept saying Jasmine by accident, and decided to just go with it. The cat adjusted with no problem. This is just to say that cats can be flexible with their names, not that this woman should change her cat's name.
Sorry pregzilla (love the commenter who used this name for a b****y, whining, entitled pregnant woman—-who was probably also a Bridezilla when she got married), but you do NOT own the rights to any name you can think of. There are thousands of Millies in the world, whether it’s a diminutive of Millicent or Emily, or they spell it Millie or Milly. Makes no difference. Someone ELSE is always going to also be named Millie too, even if they’re a cat. Your crotch goblin will never be the one and only Millie. So suck it up.
I wouldn't be able to stop laughing at the humans insecurity. I'd make a song about the cat and sing it around her whenever possible. Or send her invites with the cats photo. Though renaming to Carrie to unnerve her makes me laugh. My cat is Trinity Carrie Fisher so I approve
I mean, on the more realistic side, it's a pain in the a*s to train pets to respond to a specific name, so no, no I would not change my pets name.
Ahhh entitled people showing themselves once again. It's a freaking name. My name is Lulu (duh) and do you know how many cats & dogs i've met with the same name?! EEESH
A friend of mine has a dog called Lulu - you're absolutely right not to get bent out of shape about it! I like it, for what it's worth!
Load More Replies... Since when is it OK to call "dibs" on a name AND make people change their pets' names???
She should be honored that her baby gets to share the same name as your cat, and that you didn't insist on her picking a different name, because you thought of it first! You've been nice enough already. Screw that snot nosed little brat.
Oh, good grief! They won't be living in the same house. They can have the same name.
worst comes to worst they have the same name 💀 it literally doesn’t matter lmao. don’t change the cats name
My dog and my partners cousin have the same name. Everyone thinks it's funny since I was the one who named our dog . Turns out we even use the same nicknames!
Load More Replies... When I was younger we had cats and they had the run of the house. I would have loved it to be that way at night, but we had to lock them in the utility room (which had a cat flap) otherwise they would just set the alarm off/startle my parents etc. As for this story: baby murder mittens are coming for you.
To keep the peace, change the cat's name to something that sounds close to Millie. Pets don't care. Whenever I adopted a dog, I always changed the name. Pets catch on fast.
My grandmother's name was Lucy, both my sisters have had dogs named Lucy, and since we are adults, no one cares.
What a silly idea. After going to all the work of getting your cat to understand that her name is Millie, it would be next to impossible to change it.
I have a neighbor who named her baby girl after my cat. Nobody minded. Don't understand the issue.
I'm laughing because when my cousin Liz was adopted, no one even considered either one of us changing our names. P.S. We are both humans.
So out all the names on her list, the cousin decides Millie is her dream name for the baby after OP says it the name of her cat. Oh, please. She probably doesn't even like the name that much. Also for the people who say that babies are more important than pets: 🖕
A close friend of mine named her dog one of my favorite girl names. When I had my daughter, my husband n I chose a different favorite name. I’d never ask anyone to change the name of one of their fuzzed or non-fuzzed family members bc I wanted to claim it. 🙄
"You're valuing YOUR cat over MY baby." - Correct. That is the situation.
OMG! thank you for the morning laugh!! same thing happened with one of my good friends. she picked a name (Kaitlin) for her baby girl. said they would call her Katie. i said hahaha that's my dogs name. then she says they will probably end up calling her Katie Bug. OMG! my cat's name is BUG!!! she laughed and asked if i had any other animals that she needed to know about before she officially named her baby!! So, she named her Kaitlin. Calls her Katie bug or Kate. 26 years later my pets are long gone but i still have a Katie Bug!! People are so silly.
I share my name with two friend's pets and a Star Trek character, and my parents totally went running to Paramount demanding the immediate changing of Kira Nerys' name because it's clearly already taken! /s of course. What next? Taking a leaf out of the Yeerk playbook and appending number designations to the end of names? Hello, I am Kira 3824, how do you do!
I named my son after my uncles dog, Toby. Whats wrong with that. .
My dogs name is Charlie Murphy. I know he's dead now, but I doubt he'd care (Eddie Murphys brother). Also, I have a pup named Chub Rock. There was a rapper who had a hit called "treat em right". Pretty sure they wouldn't care either. I did once have a dog named Bailey, and my dad had married a woman who had a little girl with the same name. We called her "human" Bailey and my dog "furry" Bailey.
Just tell your cousin that she is free to sue you. Unless she has patented a name she is sol
Or Millicent. Derived from the German names Millicent, Melicent, and Mildred.
Load More Replies... Pff if her cat actually responds to Millie, she literally can't change it and her cousin is being the ignorant one for asking her to do so. Most cats don't know their name or refuse to respond to it. Plus let's be real, they're cousins. How often they hanging out and bringing up the cat?
In my opinion there is no need to change the cats name i think your cousin is being the selfish one but thats just my opinion
My cat's name is Miles, after Miles Davis, the jazz musician, in case people didn't know). So far Mr. Davis estate has left me alone. Other cats I had the good fortune of sharing my life with were George and Ira (of Gershwin fame), and a smattering of other musicians. Again, no lawsuits or online harassment. No one thinks my cat Miles can actually play the trumpet.
I would totally name my kid after a cat. I also never understood why it was supposed to be a bad thing in the movie that Indiana Jones was named after the family dog.
My turtle's middle name is Gamera and he Kadokawa Corporation hasn't told me to stop.
Do these people know that more than one person or animal has the same name? (Gasp!) We had a dog named Bella (R.I.P.) and I chuckled when my daughter had a friend with that name - quietly, to myself. But they probably named her after Twilight... also, there is a cow named Millie at a farm near me. So she is gonna have a hard time suppressing that name before she pops!
I don't see any problem in a cat and a kid having the same name. I know a person whose dog has the same name as me(not named after me, just a pure coincidence), and I think it's cool. Anyway, NTA, OP doesn't have any problems with that, and if Carrie does, she has to do something about it, not expect OP to adjust to her requirements.
Just call 'em Millie and Human Millie. Or Millie & Millie 2. Problem solved!
I came home one day from college to visit, and no one was home but a brand new puppy. I had no idea they had gotten a puppy. Turns out her name was Annie. My middle name is Ann, and mom's sister's name was Ann. I was fine with it, but my aunt seemed more concerned - she always loved small dogs, but never really had anything to do with Annie.
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